Guitarist joins North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra for Spanish program

Jason Vieaux’s new album, “Play,” will be released next week. Learn more about him at jasonvieaux.com. (Courtesy photo)

By Sheena Barnett

Daily Journal

TUPELO – The sounds of Spain will come alive at the North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra’s concert this Saturday.

World-renown guitarist Jason Vieaux will join the symphony to perform Rodrigo’s most famous work, Concierto de Aranjuez.

“Jason is really one of the most celebrated guitarists in the world. He’s a wonderful teacher and a phenomenal soloist,” said the symphony’s conductor, Steven Byess. “It’s a wonderful collaboration to invite Jason to play the Rodrigo concerto. I built the program of Spanish music around that concerto.”

Vieaux performed with the symphony early in his career, and he’s released 11 albums, either by himself or with other artists. His 12th album, “Play,” will be released next week.

He’s performed as a concerto soloist with more than 50 orchestras and he’s taught at the Cleveland Institute of Music since 2001.

The concerto, written in 1939, was inspired by the gardens at Palacio Real de Aranjuez.

“He wanted to create something that spoke to the region, not only the beauty of the people but also the area,” he said. “It’s absolutely gorgeous, exotic. It’s one of the best showcases for guitar and orchestras ever written.”

The second movement is especially famous, and even non-classical listeners will be familiar with it, Byess said.

“For all of the orchestra enthusiasts and even people who’ve never heard an orchestra, it’s a sonic wonderland. All of the movements are packed with orchestrations that are breathtakingly brilliant,” he said. “It’s a dynamic and exciting program.”

• Extra: There will be a pre-concert dinner at the Link Centre beginning at 5:30 p.m. The menu includes traditional lentil soup, salad romesco, lemon garlic chicken, spinach with raisins and pine nuts and orange flan. It’s $35/person and wine is available for purchase.